The Republican 1st District U.S. House primary race was cut to two candidates on Monday as state Rep. Pam Tucker of Greenland unexpectedly ended her campaign.

Tucker’s exit from the race was first confirmed by WMUR.com on Twitter. Her decision leaves only incumbent U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta and former BAE Systems executive Rich Ashooh of Bedford as the GOP candidates.

Democrats in the 1st District race are former U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter of Rochester and businessman Shawn O’Connor of Bedford.

Tucker cited family considerations for dropping her candidacy.

“I am so grateful to the many friends and supporters who have sacrificed so much for this campaign,” she said in a statement. “But with a young family and three daughters, it has become increasingly clear in recent days that now is not the right time for a congressional campaign.

"We must change course in Washington. I am committed to helping a conservative represent the First District. But my first and primary commitment must always be with family.”

Tucker did not say whether she will seek a fifth term in the New Hampshire House.Her decision comes three weeks after Ashooh entered the race and five weeks after 2014 Republican candidate Dan Innis ended his brief 2016 candidacy.

Tucker, a staunch conservative who announced her candidacy in February, raised an impressive $100,710 in the first quarter, which ended on March 31. She entered April with $87,852 on hand. Guinta, by comparison, raised $96,960 between Jan. 1 and March 31 and reported $76,206 on hand.

Although Ashooh did not announce his candidacy until early in the second quarter, he wrote on his Facebook page that he raised $100,000 in the first two weeks of his candidacy.

Ashooh issued a statement after Tucker’s announcement saying, “I have known Pam as a steadfast conservative voice in New Hampshire State House. I have also known her as a dedicated mother. I fully understand her decision and am confident that her dedication to the betterment of our state will continue."

Last week, WMUR.com’s New Hampshire Primary Source column was the first to report that a new super PAC had been formed to make uncoordinated independent expenditures in support of Ashooh’s candidacy.

The Granite Voices PAC expects to spend in six figures on advertising and voter contact.

“We wish Rep. Tucker the best as she makes the difficult decision to suspend her campaign,” Granite Voices general consultant Matt Mowers said. “As the field of candidates consolidates, Rich Ashooh continues to gain momentum and represents the Republican Party's best choice to send a conservative voice to Congress and hold the seat in November.”

A GOP operative who supports Ashooh said ,“It will be very difficult for Frank Guinta to survive a one-on-one race with Ashooh.”